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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 09/08/1986CITY OF ART COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY The regular meeting Chairperson Marilyn 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Members Absent: Staff: Guest(s): APPROVAL OF MINUTES MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY SEPTEMBER 8, 1986 of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Maxwell at 6:40 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, Judy Siefke, Betty Shuey, Marilyn Maxwell, Arne Andersen, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke Bill Bertschy, Rosalie Smith, Penne Powers -Thomas, Nancy Jackson, Betty Pidcock, Bobbie Guye Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell Anne Manvel, Transfort's Study Coordinator The minutes from the August 11 meeting were approved as written. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND SPEAKERS Anne Manvel, Transfort's Study Coordinator, spoke about the handicapped survey she is conducting for Transfort. Copies of the survey were distributed. She reported Transfort is exploring ways of making the lift -equipped buses more useful. They are also looking at what routes will reach the disabled community. Surveys will be sent November 30 and they should have the the results by December 30. Transfort is encouraging people to come out to the Service Center and practice using the buses. They can also take the buses out to the malls for the general public to see. NEW BUSINESS Marilyn reported that in early August she was contacted by Steve White regarding some discrepancies to the Lincoln Center sidewalk project. The plans specified a grade of 4% and the contractor had built it at 6%. Steve White's position was that it should be replaced, but wanted input from the COD. Marilyn asked Rosemary Kreston to assist her in this review. Rosemary said it was usable, but since it wasn't built to specifications, they supported Steve White's position to redo the sidewalk. COMMISSION ON DISABILITY V P.O. Box 580 9 Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 • (303) 221-6758 +Minutes - September 01986 • Page-2 Rosemary Kreston was very concerned that by not approving the ramp, it would make the disabled community look picky and possibly create hard feelings with the contractors. The COD was in favor of Marilyn and Rosemary's decision. They appreciated Steve White's consideration in asking for their input. OLD BUSINESS Mayor's Awards Breakfast The Food Committee reported they are having success in acquiring food, and will have enough for 75 people. Jackie said CDBG would provide the paper products, coffee, tea, and sugar. She reported that the Lincoln Center will be setting up the tables, providing the table cloths, coffee and tea pots. Jackie presented a drawing from the Lincoln Center indicating the location of the table and chairs. The COD decided to have one long serving table so that both sides of the table could be utilized. The nominating forms for the Dorothy Lasley Award and the Community Awareness Award will be available at the CDBG Office and the Handicapped Information Office. Jackie asked that the names of the winners be given to the CDBG office no than later September 30 in order to have certificates ready for the Breakfast. The invitation list was updated. Invitations will be sent out by September 18. RSVP's will be due on Friday, October 3. ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported that no new applications had been received. She advised CDBG is telling applicants that no new applications will be processed until October 1, 1986 when Neighbor -to -Neighbor and the Handicapped Information Office take over the program. Jackie reported that the City has acquired a second facility for Safehouse. The second house is adjacent to the original Safehouse. Due to funding requirements, Safehouse is required to have an accessible unit. At this time Jackie just wanted input from the COD as to whether or not they would approve architectural barrier removal of the Safehouse with the remaining $3-4,000 of FY 1985-86 ABR funds. The COD felt Safehouse is a very worthy cause and agreed to have those funds allocated for accessibility of the rest of their facility. ANNOUNCEMENTS In order for the COD to meet prior to the Breakfast, Marilyn announced the next meeting will be October 6. Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 p.m. FEDERICO Pe4A Mryv E CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER AGENCY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS & COMMUNITY RELATIONS Richard T. Castro, Executive Director COMMISSION ON THE DISABLED Patricia Yeager, Director COMMISSION ON THE DISABLED GOALS TO FOCUS ON SERVICES AND COMMUNITY COOPERATION FIRST WESTERN PLAZA 303 W. COLFAX AVE. SUITE 875 DENVER, CO 80204 575-3056 (ViTDD) TTY. 575-3840 The Denver Commission on the Disabled is appointed by Mayor Federico Pena to help improve the quality of living for persons with disabilities in the City and County of —Denver. A mission statement, adopted on April 1, 1996, states that: "The Denver Commission on the Disabled is to advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities in the City and County of Denver. Rights include access to buildings, employ- ment opportunities, and access to programs and services provided in the City and County of Denver. The Denver Commission on the Disabled may also serve as a mediator to resolve disputes con- cerning persons with disabilities. Through the activities of net- working with the private sector, City agencies and organized dis- ability groups, and providing public awareness and expertise in the areas of concern for the disabled,the Commission will advise the Mayor and develop effective ways the City can serve those citizens with disabilities." In keeping with this new Mission Statement, the Commission and its Staff have set achievement goals for 1986 that emphasize improved City services and cooperation with community organizations serving the disabled. Specific goals are: A. COMMUNITY NETWORKING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS During 1986, the Commission on the Disabled will network with community organizations and government agencies of the City and County of Denver to gather information on services available to persons with disabilities and to make this information readily available to all organizations and in- dividuals who need it. This networking will include involvement in community meetings, referral of persons with disabilities to the most appropriate organization or agency for service, the investigation of the possibility of computerizing this information, and an open house at the Commission Office. PAGE TWO -The Commission will al• work to establish a process Which qualified persons with disabilities can be considered for seats on City boards, commissions and committees. To ensure that disabled individuals and the general public learn about the Commission and City services, the Commission will write and distribute flyers on the services provided by the City and County of Denver for persons with disabilities, and write articles and community releases on services and programs. B. PUBLIC SAFETY The Commission will advocate for the provision of emergency services and in- sure that information about such services is available to persons with dis- abilities. This goal will include working with the Denver Police Department and representatives of the deaf community to make any needed changes to the 911-Type Emergency Service for TOO (telecommunication device for the deaf) users and to publish this emergency number so that all disabled people who need it can find it in time to get help. The Commission will work with the Denver Office of Emergency Preparedness and community organizations to find the best ways to include disabled people in the City's evacuation plans. When necessary, the Commission will work with safety programs such as Neighborhood Watch to include persons with disabilities in.their programs, and will conduct training sessions with emergency service providers on the safety needs of disabled people. C. HOUSING During 1986, the Commission will focus attention on the housing needs of persons with disabilities and the availability of accessible housing in the City and County of Denver. This project will include the establishment of a committee of City and community representatives to review housing data and determine how the City can improve housing opportunities for disabled people, and work with housing referral services to gether and disseminate information on access- ible housing. . D. EMPLOYMENT The Commission will advocate for employment for persons with disabilities and will assist the City and County of Denver as well as other employers in employing persons with disabilities. To achieve this goal, the Commission will assist with a survey of City and County of Denver employees to find out how many are disabled, assist the Career Service Authority in adapting testing and other practices for use by persons with disabilities, provide information support about disabilities to supervisors, and network with other agencies to create greater awareness of employment information concerning persons with disabilities. E. RECREATION The Commission will advocate that Denver Parks and Recreation programs, services and facilities be made accessible to all persons with disabilities. This will include working with representatives of Parks and Recreation to sensitize employees to the needs of persons with disabilities for physical Page Three -access and for access*e programs. The Commission 0 work with Parks and Recreation in hiring a recreation therapist to serve the program needs of persons with disabilities. .The Commission will network with community agencies to identify and expand recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities. F. ACCESS The. Commission will promote access to City and County programs, services and buildings. This wide-ranging goal will include updating the 1984 Transition Plan, advocating for access to City and County buildings as well as buildings within the community, Chapter 64 waivers and site visits, technical assistance on Chapter 31 to the Board of Appeals, promoting compliance with handicapped parking regulations, providing and coordinating interpreting service for deaf persons using City services, providing re- ferral information on City and County agencies and services to disabled ' persons who request such information, providing TDD relay services to all City agencies that do not have TDD services of their own. COMMISSION ON THE DISABLED STAFF Patricia Yeager, Director, 575-3056 voice/TOD: Responsible for the coordination of staff and Commission activities, networking, and resources. Acts as liaison between the agencies of the City and County government and the disabled community. Contact person for questions concerning housing. Dale Coski, Community Relations Consultant (Access), 575-3056: Responsible for monitoring accessibility in new construction via Chapter 64 waivers and site visits, acts as a resource person on Chapter 31 for the Board of Appeals, and consults with builders and architects on access elements within building plans. Contact -person for information concerning physical or program access to City and County of Denver programs and services. Patricia A. Stearman, Secretary, 575-3056 voice/TDD: Responsible for secretarial and clerical assistance for Commissioners and staff and operates the TDD relay service to other City and County of Denver agencies. Nancy Rosen, Community Relations Consultant (Communications), 575-3840 TDD, of 575-3056 voice relay. Responsible for public information and networking. Writes re- leases and other information materials. Maintains the Commission reference library on disability topics. Contact person for area resources for disabled persons, and questions concerning public safety and emergency services for the disabled. Julie Ann Zamora, Deaf Programs Specialist, 575-3056 voice/TDD: Responsible for interpreting services for hearing impaired people who use City and County of Denver services, acts as liaison between the City and the deaf community, and coordinates training for City agencies on disabilities. Contact person for questions concerning employment. MEMBERS OF THE DENVER COMMISSION ON THE DISABLED Members are appointed by Denver Mayor Federico Pena. Norman Aaronson, Commission Chairperson Jane Collins, City Agency Representative Denver Health and Hospitals Sal Delano, Community Representative U. F. C. W. Roberta Gillies b David Gonzales, City Agency Representatives Denver Employment and Training Administration Wilma Jackson, Consumer Representative Antwine Kelly, Consumer Representative — Holistic Approaches to Independent Living Dianne McGeorge,Community Representative National Federation of the Blind i George Nelson, City Agency Representative4 Denver Career Service Authority Susan Rupp, Consumer Representative Gary Rhoades, City Agency Representative Denver Parks and Recreation, Harvey Park Center Mort Solomon, Consumer Representative Raymond Stuart Colorado Coalition for Persons with Disabilities Jay Vincens, Community Representative G.I. Forum Brenda Watson, Community Representative Association of Retarded Citizens David Wicks, City Agency Representative Denver Planning Office p U aJ G t n N i t- 0 h J < 0 p v cf' _ a 0 a � I 3 r W h < 0 J t 0 a n a � cc z N l - LL 7 j r 0 CL 3 � VN u N t� 0 � W J 0 � Z O G �I �